‘Will respond with greater force to any future misadventure’
*Steady decline in militancy, situation very normal in J&K
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 26: Western Command chief Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar today said the Army is fully aware of what actions are being taken on revival of terror launch pads and camps across the International Border and is formulating its plans accordingly even as he declared that India will respond with greater force to any future misadventure by the neighbour and will not be deterred by nuclear threats.
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Speaking to reporters at Dhyan Chand Stadium in Mamun Military Station at Pathankot, Lt Gen Katiyar, whose Western Command also controls Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in the region, said if Pakistan is trying to reassemble their terrorist bases, we have that information. “Our plans will be based accordingly”.
“We believe the Pakistan Army is supporting infiltration. The terrorists are coming after training, and there is a possibility that the Pakistan Army may be helping in their training,” he said.
Asserting that Pakistan’s military wants to remain relevant as it doesn’t want politicians to take over power, the Army Commander said despite repeated peace efforts from our side, they want to keep confrontation alive which is a matter of concern. He declared that India will not be deterred by nuclear threats and will respond with greater force to any misadventure by Pakistan in future.
He termed nuclear threats as a pressure tactic. “We see it as a bogey meant to prevent us from taking strong action. We will not get deterred by nuclear threats,” he said.
Asked about the scale of a future response in case of any misadventure, the Western Army Commander said: “The response will be stronger than what we have given earlier. How far we go and at what level depends on the situation at that particular time, but we are very clear that the response will be harsher than last time.”
Noting that situation has become very normal in Jammu and Kashmir following steady decline in militancy, the Western Command chief said the Army is keeping a close watch on the terror infrastructure and added that the plans are being formulated to deal with it accordingly.
“Situation in Jammu and Kashmir has become very normal but there has been a well-planned conspiracy by Pakistan to send few terrorists to disturb atmosphere. Army and all others are fully prepared for this,” he added.
It may be mentioned here that there have been reports about Pakistan trying to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir from the International Border between Kathua and Pathankot. The BSF, which is on frontline along the International Border, has been maintaining high alert to thwart infiltration attempts.
“Wherever we receive information, we take immediate and prompt action. In several successful operations, we neutralised terrorists who had come to create disturbances in our country,” he said in response to a question on recent encounters in upper reaches of Kathua and Kishtwar in the Jammu region.
To a question on the prospect of Operation Sindoor 2, the Western Command chief said Pakistan has been taught “a very strong lesson” during Operation Sindoor.
“Any renewed provocation would invite a stronger response. Our preparations are ongoing, and we must remain prepared. If they do not understand this lesson and create conflict conditions again, we will respond in an even better and stronger manner,” he added.
Lt Gen Katiyar gave detailed account of Operation Sindoor and subsequent ceasefire.
“After the attack on May 7, 2025, our DGMO conveyed that we had completed our action and wanted to talk. They refused at that time. Fighting continued for the next 88 hours. After extensive damage to their military bases, their DGMO approached our DGMO, and it was during that conversation that the ceasefire draft was prepared. After deliberations, our Government accepted the request,” he said.
Maintaining that the Indian Army didn’t target any civilian areas, the Western Command chief said the Indian Armed Forces targeted only terrorist bases but when Pakistan attacked our military stations we responded by attacking their military stations and air bases.
Lt Gen Katiyar said the Army is raising dedicated ‘Ashin’ drone platoons across infantry, artillery and armoured regiments to strengthen drone warfare capabilities. “We realised that the use of drones is extremely important. Therefore, we have integrated drone usage across all units, right down to the smallest sub-units,” he said.
He said dedicated ‘Ashin’ drone platoons – small sub-units within infantry battalions – have been created and similar specialised platoons will be raised in every regiment.
Highlighting operational readiness, the Western Army Commander said that future conflicts may demand swift action to protect troops and carry out precision strikes.
“These specialised battalions are meant to further enhance our strike capability and special operations capability. In the coming times, small, agile teams capable of operating independently and penetrating deep into enemy territory will be required,” he said, adding that the ‘Bhairav’ units will be employed for operations deep inside hostile areas.
Meanwhile, Bhairav Battalion, the Indian Army’s elite force tasked with operational requirements along the Indo-Pak borders showcased its operational capabilities ranging from anti-terrorist missions to heliborne and border defence operations at the Dhyan Chand Stadium in Pathankot.
The stadium was transformed into a simulated battlefield for over an hour, during which operational and battle manoeuvres were enacted by BrahMos and Akash missile batteries, tank units including the Ajeya series and the latest field guns. The display was backed by armed helicopters, including Apache attack helicopters, along with drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Amid a chain of demo blasts and firing, the battlefield scenario also featured coordinated heliborne operations and ground assaults, including the demolition of a simulated terror hideout involving robotic mules and sniffer dogs.
The capabilities were showcased during an investiture ceremony-cum-demonstration organised by the Western Command, which highlighted India’s modern weaponry and platforms while displaying its operational preparedness through the indomitable Bhairav Battalion, indigenously fabricated drones and networked battlefield systems.
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